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Microsoft, Google Promise to Sue US Government Regarding Surveillance Data

Published Date 9/4/13 8:08 AM

Microsoft and Google said they will sue the US government to disclose more information about government requests to them for their customers’ personal data. The announcement was made by Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith in a blog post. He stated the firms “remain concerned with the government’s continued unwillingness to permit us to publish sufficient data relating to Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) orders” for user information. He contends Microsoft has “a clear right under the US Constitution to share more information with the public.” The government has, since details of its surveillance program were leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, limited companies as to how much information they can disclose about requests for customer data, saying this could harm national security interests. The government recently turned down requests from several businesses asking for permission to disclose such information. The companies did this after receiving public criticism for allegedly being too willing to cooperate with the government in surrendering users’ personal data. (All Things D)(Microsoft on the Issues)

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